boehner. imean they are the most important players as to whether we get a result. secondly, i've said from day one, i've been saying it for two years, the most important piece of this, andrea, really is medicare because as you look at glen hubbard, as you look at others talking about all these things, the two are intertwined. in other words, as we see true medicare reforms and you see a real solution to medicare, where people know that we've put this behind us and we've dealt with it, i think you see the dial change as it relates to revenue. so, you know, i've been discussing revenues now for at least two years. i do think republicans are open to revenues that are put in place and a pro growth way, but i think people want to see that we've actually dealt with the problem. we haven't generated more revenues without solving the fundamental problems we have and we have what we want to do is put ourselves on a path towards fiscal solvency. i think the key here really is, medicare and to the extent you dial that up and solve it, i think you also dial the other dial which is revenues and i

speakerboehnersaidand said, look, let's work on closing these loopholes and deductions. that is common ground. there's no reason why -- >> that would raise taxes on people. this is where you get this fight in the republican party. because if your taxes go up but your tax rate doesn't go up, is that a sell republicans can live with? >> it depends how it's mixed up. we don't want to raise the tax rate. if you're closing loopholes and broadening the base, lowering the rate, then i think we could get there. >> you signed groemp norquist's pledge i'm going to assume because pretty much every congressman did. >> yes. >> would you be fine doing a compromise where you would go against your signature on that pledge. if you felt there was a compromise on the table -- >> i do not -- i do not -- >> to the pledge -- dramatic, wasn't it? >> it was dramatic. >> but i need these notes so i'm going to put them back like that. >> i do not intend to do that. i want to fight for the principles i believe in. i, too, was elected, and i think that's part of the give and take. >> grover norquist was not elect

speakerboehnersays2013 should be the year he says we begin to solve our debt through tax and entitlement reform. don't hold your breath. for starters, there's not that much time left for this lame duck session of congress. after all, they have to get their thanksgiving and christmas vacations in, right? and the democrats might want to wait until january when they have a larger majority in the senate. then there's always the possibility that congress settles on a smaller deal, a temporary one. kick the can down the road again. but if nothing is done, taxes will go up for every single american, and we'll be looking square at another recession next year. none of this will be easy on americans' pocketbooks. that's the question. how will the fiscal cliff affect the way you handle your money. post a comment on my blog, or go to my post on "the situation room's" facebook page. >> love that analogy to thelma and louise. >>> and the growing scandal between two top generals and two married women. one powerful lawmaker describes it as something right out of a tabloid. joining us now